DURHAM, N.C.-Duke University wrestling head coach Glen Lanham has announced the addition of Benjamin Wissel as an assistant coach for the Blue Devils wrestling squad. Wissel will join the Duke staff full time in July and will work with the upper weights

"We are very excited to have Ben as part of the Duke wrestling staff," Lanham said. "Ben brings with him both wrestling and coaching experience from the Big Ten. Ben is a hard worker, a talented technician and a man of character who believes in the vision we have set for our wrestling program. We look forward to Ben joining our staff in July."

A four-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American for Purdue University, Wissel brings with him a wide array of coaching experiences. He previously served as the Boiler Elite Wrestling Club Head Coach and as a volunteer assistant for the Boilermakers. During his time with Boiler Elite, Wissel worked with wrestlers ranging from elementary school to college. He was instrumental in teaching proper technique, setting up practices and running fundraising projects for the program over the course of the five years.

As a volunteer assistant for Purdue, Wissel helped the staff with practice structure and worked closely in the sports performance of specific weight classes, and assisted in the monitoring of academic progress of the student-athletes.

"I have a lot of respect for Coach Lanham," Wissel said. "I'm definitely excited to learn and work alongside of him, and I think the compatibility of our wrestling and coaching styles will work well. I'm excited to meet and get to know the guys on the team and look forward to providing them the tools to excel both athletically and academically."

A native of Richmond, Ind., Wissel was a standout wrestler at 184 pounds for the Boilermakers. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in each of his four seasons and captured All-America accolades his final two years. In 2005, Wissel posted a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten Championships and an eighth-place showing at the NCAA Championships.

Wissel, finished the 2005-06 season with a Purdue single-season record 188 takedowns and a career-best 38-6 record. He moved up on the podium in both events in his final season at Purdue. He took third at the Big Ten Championships and seventh at the NCAA Championships to earn his second All-America award. Wissel concluded his career with an outstanding 115-49 overall record.

In addition to his All-America honors, Wissel was a two-time Scholar All-America selection by the NWCA and earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He captured Purdue's Most Dedicated Wrestler award four times, was a two-time recipient of the Purdue Wrestling Captains Award and was voted as Purdue's Most Valuable Wrestler twice.

He was selected as one of six Purdue student-athletes for the Durham Brothers Leadership Award, presented to student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership to their teammates both on and off the playing field through their positive attitude, strong work ethic and overall commitment to excellence. Wissel also was chosen as the recipient of the Varsity Walk Award given annually to the outstanding senior who has participated as a varsity athlete and brought national recognition to Purdue.

Wissel earned his bachelor's degree in health and fitness from Purdue's Department of Kinesiology in 2006.

Wissel is married to wife Elizabeth, also a native of Richmond Ind., and Purdue graduate. They have a daughter Molly and are expecting the arrival of their second child prior to joining the Duke wrestling staff in July.